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What is the Pro Bono Program?

The Montgomery County Bar Foundation Pro Bono Program was the first program of its kind in Maryland and has remained a strong, viable program; continuing its excellence in providing free legal services to over 2,000 low-income clients in need through the Attorney Referral Program, the free legal clinics and The Child Custody Program. Assistance is made possible through the generosity of our volunteer attorneys, who provide thousands of hours of free legal services; as well as the Maryland Legal Services Corporation and the Montgomery County Health and Human Services Division, which provide us with grants.

If You Need Legal Assistance

If you need a lawyer, but cannot afford one, you may be eligible to receive FREE LEGAL HELP from volunteer attorneys with the Pro Bono Program.

You may contact the Pro Bono Program at (301) 424-7651 Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for an initial eligibility screening.

If you appear to be eligible, based on the information you provide us, we will mail you intake forms to complete and return to us. There is a $25.00 processing fee. Once your information is complete, we will place you on a waiting list for the next available attorney.

The Pro Bono Program depends on volunteers; therefore, it may take several months to find an attorney who is available to represent you in court. For this reason, the Program cannot assist individuals who have emergency cases.

Eligibility:

You must meet ALL of the following criteria to be eligible:

· You must be a resident of Montgomery County
· You must meet Maryland income eligibility guidelines
· You must need assistance in an area of law which volunteer attorneys handle

Cases Handled by the Program:

Absolute Divorce (Separated 1 year)

Separation Agreements

Custody

Adoption/Guardianship

Simple Name Changes

Bankruptcy (Simple Chapter 7)

Limited Debt Collection Defense

Private Landlord Tenant (Security Deposits Only)

Limited Immigration cases (Simple Change of Status)

Limited Employment cases (Wage Claims)

Wills and Powers of Attorney

Cases NOT Handled by the Program:

Emergency Cases

Criminal and Traffic Cases

Social Security, Unemployment, or Worker’s Compensation Cases

Any Fee-Generating Cases

Public Benefits

Public Housing

Alimony/Child Support/Visitation (if not part of custody/divorce proceedings)

Appeals

Post-Decree Motions (orders, enforcement, or modification proceedings of any kind)

We provide access to, and improve the administration of justice in our ever-evolving community. We offer valuable benefits, services and opportunities to our members. We advance the delivery of quality legal services by our members.